Hey Ed:
I would pay $40 for such a turnout ($10/h is pretty cheap - minimum wage
here is about $20!). Assume your miscellaneous includes the electrical
contact switch to make it move? In any event, who wants to do it?
regards,
Rance
ps - the electrical wiring of the various parts as Tom Stoltz is now
doing would be quite nice, etc.
On 2/14/2011 7:29 PM, Edward Loizeaux wrote:
>
> > Monte wrote:
>
> > "Granted, a complete track system in S scale
>
> > would be great, but do any of you think that
>
> > this would be feasible? At best I could see it
>
> > starting with one size switch and I guess it
>
> > would sell for around $40."
>
> If any of you know how to do this, please contact me.
>
> It could be a good business opportunity.
>
> Tom Stoltz
>
> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
>
> Gentlemen...
>
> Let's assume someone wanted to produce a new product for S scale and
> make an
> honest buck doing it. Let's also assume Dick Karnes was correct that RTR
> turnouts with a motor attached would be a good seller. So the question
> boils down to: How to do it?
>
> If'n I were inclined in that direction, I would look at building up RTR
> turnouts using the FastTracks fixtures and also having an optional motor
> that could easily be attached. With the fixtures, the only cost per
> turnout
> is that of rail, ties, and your labor. Most of the folks using the
> FastTracks fixtures claim they can build a complete turnout in less
> than one
> hour. The end result is effectively a RTR turnout. Some spacer shims can
> be glued to the bottom of the ties and then the rail height will exactly
> match Shinohara or any other brand of flex track. The throw bar and/or
> specific ties can be made extra long for accommodation of the motor
> mechanism whatever it turns out to be.
>
> For the motor, do whatever makes sense. According to one person, American
> Models has figured out how to do it with a modification to a mass-produced
> HO turnout motor to provide a greater throw distance. If this approach
> works for AM, maybe it is a good technique to examine thoroughly. With the
> design of an adaptor, the motor should be attachable to some
> longer-than-normal ties without much difficulty. Perhaps only a few tapped
> holes would be needed. I'd view this as a doable thing if it is given some
> thought. The motor could be attached at the factory (your basement?) or
> sold separately for the customer to attach with the provided screws.
>
> Regarding costs, figure $3 for rail, $3 for ties, $10 for one hour of
> direct
> labor, $3 for the mass-produced HO turnout motor and another $1 for the
> mounting adaptor and miscellaneous hardware and packaging. Everything
> should be purchased in bulk directly from the manufacturer at a 40%
> discount off the normal retail list price. Total cost = $ 20. Selling
> price = $ 30 for a 50% gross margin.
>
> One last cost factor is the 50 cents "Idea Fee" payable to me for each
> turnout sold. I will take payment in beer if you are short of cash.
>
> Let's just do it !!
>
> Have fun..Ed L.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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